A Note from the Bobcaygeon Music Council: Looking Back, Leaping Forward

On behalf of the Bobcaygeon Music Council, we want to take a moment to thank you—and to be honest with you.

Over the past few years, we’ve had the privilege of hosting some truly wonderful concerts in the fall and spring. We loved bringing live music to town and watching our audiences connect with the artists. However, after careful thought and heartfelt discussions, our Board made the difficult decision to step back from our fall and spring concert series. While we loved hosting them, our attendance—usually between 65 and 75 guests—just wasn’t enough to make these shows sustainable.

Still, we weren’t ready to give up. Far from it.

Instead, we shifted our focus to something new: one big concert event in the spring. And wow—did that decision pay off! We found the perfect venue at the Bobcaygeon Curling Club and were thrilled to secure none other than the Jim Cuddy Trio to headline the night.

Tickets sold out in record time—presale tickets disappeared in one minute, and the public sale was gone within two hours. With the help of a dream team of volunteers (including Board members, family, and the incredible crew from the Curling Club), we transformed the space into a full-blown concert hall. The sound was amazing. The crowd was electric. And Jim and his band delivered an unforgettable performance, feeding off the room’s energy.

As a nonprofit and registered charity, we kept ticket prices as accessible as possible—and while the profit margin was modest, the experience was priceless. Seeing so many people enjoying themselves, watching local businesses rally to support the event… it was exactly what we set out to do.

Special thanks to our presenting sponsor: Kawartha Dairy, as well as Margaret Weikmann of Ball Real Estate and  Expedia Cruises-Peterborough.

Your support helped make this concert a reality.

So… What’s Next?

Would we do a big spring concert again? Absolutely. But for now, we’re turning our attention to summer.

Concerts in the Park are back—and bigger than ever!

This summer, we’re taking full advantage of the calendar. With nine Thursdays in July and August, we’re hosting nine free concerts in the most beautiful riverside setting along the Trent-Severn Waterway.

We kick things off on Thursday, July 3 with The Thermostats—a brand new band with some familiar faces: Brennen Wilson, Dar Kimble, and an incredible group of musicians we’re so excited to welcome.

From there, the summer lineup continues to shine:

• July 10 – Frank Cosentino, a proud member of the Blues Hall of Fame

• July 17 – Melissa Payne and her band, bringing a high-energy, genre-blending set. https://melissapaynemusic.com (If you saw her open for Blue Rodeo at the Peterborough Memorial Centre, you know how good she is.)

And that’s just the beginning. We’re bringing in top-tier talent from across southern Ontario, while also spotlighting some of the amazing local musicians who call this region home.

So grab a lawn chair, bring a picnic or enjoy takeout from one of our amazing local restaurants—some are even staying open a bit later on concert nights. And don’t forget to check out the Lions Club BBQ while you’re there!

For a complete concert listing: https://www.bobcaygeonmusic.com/concerts

Coming This Fall…

We’re also in early talks to host a local singer-songwriter showcase in September or October. It’s still in the works, but we’re hoping to give even more space for emerging voices to shine.

At the Bobcaygeon Music Council, we believe that everyone should have access to incredible live music—without having to leave town to find it. We’re proud to bring in professional, top-tier musicians and just as proud to lift up the hardworking local talent in our own backyard.

Thanks for being part of this journey with us. We can’t wait to see you in the park!

The Bobcaygeon Music Council

Small Town…Big Talent!